On my very first day in Tashkent, I was blown away: a ride on the pristine subway, surrounded by marble carvings and crystal chandeliers, costs exactly 2,000 UZS — roughly 16 US cents. The historic photography ban was completely lifted in 2018, transforming the metro into an open-access architectural gallery, while cross-city taxi rides cost less than a cup of specialty coffee. Here is your definitive transit guide.
01The Subway: An Underground Museum for 16 Cents
Opened in 1977 as Central Asia's first subway system, the Tashkent Metro now features 4 lines and around 50 stations. It is a monumental architectural reserve: every central stop boasts a distinct artistic theme crafted with marble, granite, forged bronze, and traditional Uzbek ceramics.
- Fare per ride: fixed 2,000 UZS (~$0.16) when tapping any contactless card (Visa, Mastercard, Humo, Uzcard) directly at the turnstile.
- Cash payment: single-use paper QR tickets can be bought at station counters for 3,000 UZS.
- Photography: completely PERMITTED since summer 2018 — feel free to take photos of the stunning interiors.
- Top stations to visit: Kosmonavtlar (deep space gradient), Alisher Navoiy (mosque-style vaults with gold calligraphy), Mustaqillik Maydoni (white marble and chandeliers).
02Taxis & Ride-Hailing: Why You Should Skip Street Touts
Yandex Go works seamlessly across Tashkent with Economy, Comfort, and Comfort+ tiers. Vehicles typically arrive within 2–4 minutes anywhere in town with cashless card payments or local cash.
- Average city centre trip: 15,000 – 25,000 UZS ($1.20 – $2.00).
- Cross-city journey during rush hour: rarely exceeds 40,000 – 50,000 UZS ($3.00 – $4.00).
- Street cab touts waiting outside bazaars and train stations typically charge 2–3 times higher fares, so stick to the app.
03Getting From Islam Karimov International Airport (TAS)
Tashkent International Airport is uniquely convenient: situated right within the city perimeter, only 6–8 kilometres from central Amir Timur Square.
- A Yandex Go ride to the downtown area costs roughly 25,000 – 35,000 UZS ($2.00 – $2.80) and takes just 15 minutes.
- An official fixed-rate taxi counter operates inside the arrivals terminal.
- Politely ignore aggressive touts at the exit doors and head straight to your designated app pickup point.
04City Buses & Modern Electric Fleets
Tashkent's bus fleet has undergone a massive green modernisation: brand-new Yutong electric buses and King Long articulated buses operate on major routes with strong air conditioning and onboard USB charging ports.
- Fare: 2,000 UZS via contactless bank card or local ATTO transit card.
- Dedicated bus lanes (BRT) on central avenues allow buses to bypass heavy traffic during peak hours.
- Use the 2GIS or Yandex Maps apps for real-time bus arrival tracking.
05High-Speed Afrosiyob Train to Samarkand & Bukhara
Spanish-built Talgo 250 high-speed trains, branded locally as 'Afrosiyob', whisk travellers from Tashkent to Samarkand in just 2 hours 15 minutes, and to Bukhara in 3 hours 50 minutes at speeds up to 230 km/h.
- Departure: Tashkent North (Central) or Tashkent South railway stations.
- Key challenge: tickets sell out within hours when sales open 45 days in advance on eticket.railway.uz.
- If Afrosiyob tickets are sold out, book the comfortable 'Sharq' express or classic overnight trains.
06E-Scooters and Micromobility
With wide tree-lined sidewalks and flat geography, central Tashkent is great for short e-scooter rides in spring, summer, and autumn.
- Major providers like Yandex Go, Whoosh, and local operators operate throughout central districts.
- Dedicated virtual parking zones are found outside metro stations, parks, and shopping malls.
- Pricing: unlock fee around 3,000 UZS, followed by ~1,000–1,200 UZS per minute.
07Shared Taxis & Mountain Getaways
For excursions to the Chimgan mountains, Charvak Lake reservoir, or the Amirsoy ski resort, shared taxis and private transfers are the most practical option.
- Direct Yandex Go transfers to Amirsoy resort cost roughly 150,000 – 200,000 UZS ($12–$16) one-way.
- Shared taxis depart from outside the Buyuk Ipak Yuli metro station.
- Agree on a return pickup time and price with your driver in advance when travelling into remote mountain valleys.
Estimated Transit Prices in Tashkent (2025–2026)
- Metro ride via contactless card / QR: 2,000 UZS (~$0.16)
- Single paper QR ticket at ticket desk: 3,000 UZS (~$0.24)
- City bus / electric bus ride: 2,000 UZS (~$0.16)
- Downtown Yandex Go taxi trip: 15,000 – 25,000 UZS (~$1.20 – $2.00)
- Airport to city centre taxi: 25,000 – 35,000 UZS (~$2.00 – $2.80)
- Afrosiyob bullet train to Samarkand (Economy): from 140,000 UZS (~$11.00)
- 20-minute e-scooter ride: ~25,000 UZS (~$2.00)
What matters
- Link your international credit/debit card to the Yandex Go app prior to arrival to avoid handling cash change with drivers.
- At subway turnstiles, tap your contactless card directly on the yellow scanner of the right-hand gate.
- Book your Afrosiyob high-speed train tickets exactly 45 days in advance at 8:00 AM Tashkent time to secure seats.
- Double-check your departure train station on the ticket: Tashkent North (Central) and Tashkent South are located in different parts of the city.
- Download the offline 2GIS map of Tashkent for accurate subway exits, building entrance markers, and live bus schedules.
- During peak hours (8:30–9:30 AM & 6:00–7:30 PM), skip the road traffic on Amir Timur Avenue by hopping onto the fast subway.